Sectional-box mechanism



' 1,644,215 O 1927- I H. WILHELM sscwxomu BOX macmmxsm Filed Aug. '15. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 1,544,215 O 1927- H. WILHELM SECTIONAL BOX MECHANISM Filed Au 15. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g INVENTQR Wise/6 ORNEY I Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY WILI-IELM, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SECTIONAL-BOX- MECHANISM.

Application filedAugust 15, 1924. Serial Ito. 732,163.

5 series of compartments or boxes such as letter boxes may be individually and independently locked and unlocked or opened and wherein by means of a master look all of the boxes or compartments may be simultaneously opened.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction for sectional boxes wherein the doors of-a predetermined series of boxes may be independently locked and unlocked or opened, and wherein by' operating a master lock all of the boxes may be bodily swung on a main hinge or pivotal axis to permit access to the several boxes collectively.

A further object is to provide an improved construction for sectional boxes which will be more economical to manufacture, simpler in construction and which at the same time will be strong and durable. Furtl1ermore, the construction is such that the boxes may be easily assembled and taken apart, thereby eliminating the necessity of having skilled and experienced or specially trained workmen to install the boxes, as for instance when they are installed in apartment or tenement houses.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the followingv description and appended claims,.reference being had to the accompanying drawings formin a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views and wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation illustrating an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on line'22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of' the construction shown in. Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a View similar into open position and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable stop member for the boxes. 1

Before explaining. in detail the present improvement and mode of operation thereof, I desire to have it understood that the invention is not. limited to the details of constructionand arrangement of parts which are illustrated in the accompanying. drawings, since the invention is capable of other to Fig. 2 illustratingzthe boxes when swung embodiments, and that the phraseologv which I employ is for the purpose of dscripti'on and not" or limitation.

In the present instance byway of illustrati'on, the sectional box construction is shown as comprising two boxes adapted to be individually opened, and also collectively opened by means of a single master'locli, but it will. be understoodthat theinvention could'pass through the side walls instead of the back wall of the box 9 if this should be desired. The box 9 is thusstationary and located in fixed position and is of" suitable depth in accordance with the desired depth of the several letter boxes or compartments,

the top wall 12of the main box 9 extending forwardly and terminating at its front edge in a downwardly extending flange or lip 13} The bottom of themain box 9 also extends forw'ardly' the same distance as the top, and at its front edge a hinge plate 15 is secured thereto as by means of rivets 16. This plate 15 extend'sal'ong the front inner edge of the bottom of the main box 15 the.

entire length thereof and at its outer edge the plate 15 is bent or partially coiled to form an open hinge member 16. It will be noted that the box 9 isentirely open at its front end.

Located or housed withinthe stationaryboxor'housing 9 are a series of compartments or boxes, in the present instance shown as letter boxes, two such boxes 17 and 1'7 being hereinshown for the purpose of illustration. common back wall 18' and a oommonbase or bottom wall 19, each extending the length oftlie section; The front edge of the base 19 for the several boxes is bent downwardly.

The boxes 17 and 17 havea is not limited to' any particular number of boxes, as a larger'number may beutihzed to form a flange 20 and secured to this flange is a vertically extending apron or front wall 21 which also extends the length of the sectional boxes. The lower edge of the apron 21 and of the flange 20 are adapted to be inserted within the open hinge member 16 whereby the boxes will have a common hinge along the entire lower edge thereof through the medium of the hinge 16. From the foregoing it will be seen that since the several boxes 17 and 17 have a common back wall 18, a common base 19 and front skirt or wall 21, the boxes will swing as a unit about the axis formed by the hinge 16. It will be obvious, however,that if preferred the boxes could be made separately and connected in any suitable manner so as to swing together. In the present instance the front wall 21 extending the length of the sectional boxes preferably has a height somewhat less than the height of the boxes, and adjacent to the upper edge is provided with an outwardly pressed rib 22 and terminates in a flange 23 which is inwardly offset from the main portion of the wall 21.

The box or compartment 17 isprovided with a hinged, door 25 and in like manner the box 17 is provided with a hinged door 25 The door 25 is hinged to the front edge of the side wall 24-of compartment 17 by means of a suitable hinge 2(5, and the door 25 is hinged to the front edge of the side wall 24 of compartment 17 a by means of a suitable hinge 26*.

Between the doors 25 and 25 the apron 21 is provided with an upwardly extending plate or section 27 which extends to the top of the sectional boxes. This plate 27 is secured to the rear wall 18 by means of transverse members 33 and 34.

Secured to the inner upper face of the central plate 27 is a suitable spring lock 35 having a lock bolt 37. By inserting a key in the slot 36 of the lock, the bolt 37 may be shifted so as to engage behind the flange 13 of the stationary box or housing 9 or be disengaged therefrom. The lock 35 thus performs the function of a master lock, since when the lock bolt 37 is shifted downwardly out of engagement with the flange 13, all of the compartments or boxes are free to swing forwardly upon the hinge 16. Each of the doors 25 and 25 of the individual compartments 17 and 17 a is provided with a spring lock 28 having a lock bolt 30, and by inserting the key in the key slot 29, the bolt 30 may be shifted into and out of a suitable slot formed in the side wall 31 of compart ment 17 or 17"-. In this manner these compartments may be independently and individually opened and locked.

It will be noted that when the master look I 35 is operated to release the lock bolt 37 from behind the flange or lip 13, the entire section of boxes as a unit will swing forwardly upon the hinge '16. This forward swinging movement is limited by suitable means shown in one form as an adpistable stop member 38 which may comprise a bar sition by tightening the screws 40, so that when the sectional boxes are swung forwardly on the hinge 18 as shownin Fig. 4, the stop bar 38 will engage the flange 13 thus permitting the boxes 17 and 17 to be opened only to an extent corresponding to the depth of these boxes. The sectional boxes may be removed as a unit merely by loosening the set screws 40 and sliding them downwardly in the vertical slots 41 thus shifting the bar 38 so that the upper edge thereof will not project above the upper edge of wall 18. Upon swinging the boxes forwardly the bar 38 will clear the flange 13 thereby permitting the sectional boxes to be lifted off from the hinge 16 andthus removed, and at which time access to the screws 10, for securing the casing 9 in its opening is possible, and at other times these screws 10 are inaccessible either when the boxes are in their normally opened or closed position. It will be observed that this shifting of the bar or latch 38 permits the boxes to be shifted forward beyond their mail-receiving position atwhich time they may be removed, instead of which, however, the boxes may be swung further downward out of the way, thereby permitting access to the fastening means 10. I

It will be noted that the upper edge of the walls 31, 24, 33, and 34 are cut on a curvature concentric with the axis 16 so that when the boxes are swung forwardly the upper edges of these walls will clear the flange 13, but it will be understood that the sectional boxes cannot be removed without adjusting downwardly the stop .bar 38 to permit. the rear wall 18 to clear the flange 13, at which time the boxes can be lifted 01f the open hinge 16. W1 en the sectional boxes are being installed the usual molding strips 43, 44 and 45 are secured in place.

In use it will be understood that where the invention is used for sectional letter boxes, the postman will be provided wit-h a master key for the master lock 35, and upon releasing the lock bolt 37 he will swing the entire section of boxes forwardly upon the hinge 16 as shown in Fig. 4. The top of each box 17 and'17 is open so that when the section of boxes is swung forwardly each box will be open for access the entire de th of the box. postman through the top of each 'box' 17 or 17 after which the entire section will be swung back and the lock bolt 37 shifted into locked position as shown in Figs. 1 and'Q.

By means of'the apertures 46, the owner of a box may ascertain Whether there is any mail deposited in his box, and by unlocking the door 25 or 25 may obtain such mail independently of any of 'the other boxes in the section. Each door 25 and 25 may be providedwith a slot: 47 for the insertion of telegrams, business cards, and'so.forth.

It is to be understood that describing in detail herein any particular form, structure or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the. terms of the several claims or the requirements of. the prior art.

Having thus explained t'henature'of my said invention. and described a way of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be'made, or all of the modes of its use, I claim:

1. The combination of a plurality of boxes pivotally supported for swingingmovement as a unit, a door for each box, means for locking and'unlocking each .door, master controlling means for locking and unlocking said boxes to permit thesameto-swing as a unit, and means for limiting the swinging movement thereof, said last means being adjustable to permit said boxes'to be detached as a unit from the pivotal support thereof.

2. The combination of. a housing member, a plurality of boxes located therein and hingedly supported at the front lower edge thereof, said boxes having openings at the top to permit ingressthereto, a door for each box, means for lockingand unlocking each door, said housing member having a closure for said openings, and a master lock for locking and unlocking all'of' said boxes to permit the same to be swung relatively to said closure. said'boxes having stop means coacting with saidclosure for limiting the swinging movement thereof and releasable to permit the boxes to be assembled or removed.

3. The combination of" a plurality of boxes, means for independently opening each of said boxes, means for locking and unlocking all of said boxes, means for hinging said boxes for swinging'movement and constructed to permit said boxes to be bodily removed at predetermined times, and stop means for limiting the swinging movement of said boxes and adjustable to permit the removal thereof.

4. The combination of a plurality of con nected boxes having openings at the top, each box having a door provided with an individual lock therefor, a. master lock for The mail will be inserted the the connected boxes, means for supporting the boxes to permit movement thereof and means fordetachably' holding the boxes in predetermined position. relative to said supportingmeans and inaccessible fromthe outisideof saidboxes. 7 I

5. -The combination of a support, a plurality of boxes removably locatedv therein, and having openings at the top, a door; for each box, means for'locking and unlocking each door, amaster lock forlocking and unlocking all of said boxes to permit the same to be shifted relative to said support, and. means adapted to be adjusted for per- .mitting the removal or assembling of said boxes and inaccessible for through asingle box.

6. The-combination of a plurality of receptacles having openings at the top, a. door for each receptacle and having an individual lock, a support, means for movably mounting said receptacles on said support, said means being releasable-to permit. removal and assembling of the receptacles, and an adjustable stop means for limiting the movement of said receptacles into open position, said'stop means having areleasableconnection in each receptacle forcont-rolling the adjustment thereof, thereby to permit assembling and removal of the receptacles.

7. The combination of a stationary support and a plurality of connected boxes having cooperating releasable hinge members adapted to be connected to permit the boxes to be swung into assembled position with respect to said support,.releasable stop means carried at the back of said boxes for preventing said boxes from swinging beyond a predetermined point,a master lock for looking the boxes in normal. closed position, and said hinge members having cooperating means effective to prevent disconnection thereof when the boxes are in; normal open and closed positions. 8. The combination of a stationary support, a plurality of connected boxes having openings at the top, said support. and boxes having cooperating releasable hinge members, means for locking said boxes in closed position relative to the support, means for preventing the boxes from swinging beyond a predetermined. point, and means for controlling saidlast means to permit assembling and removal of'the boxes with respect to saidsupport.

9. The combination of a plurality of connected boxes having openings at the top, each box having a. door and an individual: lock therefor, a master lock for said boxes, a sup port, means for detachably hinging said boxes to the support, and means having a detachable connection in each box. for permitting detachment of said boxes.

10. The combination of a plurality of conadj ust-ment nected compartments, each compartment having a door provided with a lock, a master lock for the connected compartments, releasable hinge'means for swingingly support ng said compartmenm, stop means for limiting the swinging movement of the compartments and adjustable to permit the compartments to be .swung into position to release .said hinge means.

11. The combination of a plurality of connected boxes having enclosing back and side walls and open at the top, a door for each box and having a lock, a master lock for the boxes, a stop member extending alongthe outside of the back wall of the boxes, releasable hinge means for permitting swinging movement of the boxes, and means for vertically adjusting said stop member to re strict the swinging movement of the boxes in one position and in another position to permit them to be swung into position to re lease said hinge means.

12. The combination of a series of connected boxes pivotally mounted atthe lower front edge thereof and each having an opening at the top, a door for each box having an individual lock, a master locl: for the boxes, shiftable stop means carried by said boxes for limiting the swinging movement thereof, and an adjusting screw within each box for adjusting said stop means into position to permit the boxes to be removed.

13. The combination of a plurality of boxes, each having a common back wall and bottom wall, means for independently opening each of said boxes, releasable means con nected to said bottom wall for hingedly supporting all of said boxes, and vertically adjustable stop means connected to the back wall of the boxes and adjustable to permit the boxes to be swung into position to release d hinged means.

1 1-. The combination of a plurality of connected boxes comprising enclosing back and side walls provided with openings at the top, a door at the front of each box and having an individual look, a master lock for the connected boxes, means for supporting said boxes to permit shiftable movement thereof, releasable hinge means for detachably holding the boxes against removal when swung into normal open and closed positions, and means within a plurality of boxes and inaccessible from the outside thereof for permitting said boxes to be bodily removed.

15. The combination of a casing, a plurality of connected mail boxes swingingly supported therein, each box having an opening at its top. a master lock for the connected boxes, an individual door for each box, an individual lock for each door, securing means for securing the casing in position in a wall opening anc inaccessible either when the boxes are open or closedvand accessible only upon the removal of the boxes from their supporting means, and means for permitting the removal of the boxes from their supporting means when in their open position and inaccessible when the boxes are closed.

16. The combination of a casing, means for securing the casing in position in a wall opening, a plurality of connected mail boxes shiftsupported within said casing and each havingan opening at its top, a master lock for the connected boxes, each box having a door provided with an individual lock therefor, said casing securing means being inaccessible for the release of the casing when the connected boxes are in assembled position in the casing either in the closed or open position of the boxes, and adjustable means for permitting the attachment of the boxes subsequent to the attachment of the casing in the wall opening and accessible only thru a plurality of boxes when the boxes are open.

17. A device for holding mail comprising a casing adapted to be secured'in a. wall by fastenings inserted from inside the casing, a receptacle mounted in said casing andhaving a plurality of mail receiving compartments therein, said casing having an opening in the front thereof to receive said receptacle, hinge means enclosed in said device and connecting the front part of said receptacle with said casing at the lower side of said opening and comprising separable members permitting the mounting of the receptacle its normal position in the casing after thecasing has'been secured in a wall, and means for locking said receptacle in its closed position.

18. A device for holding mail comprising a casing adapted to be secured in a wall by fastenings inserted from inside the casing, said casing havingan opening in the front thereof, a receptacle mounted in said casing with the front thereof normally positioned in said opening, said receptacle comprising a plurality of mail receiving compartments, hinge means connecting the front part of said receptacle with the casing at the lower side of said opening and permitting said receptacle to swing into either an open or closed position, said hinge means comprising cooperating members carried, respectively,

.by said receptacle and easing, said members being enclosed in said device and being readily separable to permit the mounting of the receptacle in thecasing or its removal therefrom after the casing has been secured in a wall, and a lock for securing said in its closed position.

19. The combination of a casing, a plurality ofconnected mail boxes pivotally mounted in the casing, securing means for the easing inaccessible either when the boxes are clof'ed or in mail receiving position and accessible only upon the withdrawal of the boxes from the casing and manually operable means for permitting the withdrawal of receptacle the boxes from the casing when in their mail receiving position and inaccessible when the boxes are closed.

20. The combination of supporting means adapted to be secured in a Wall opening, a plurality of connected mail boxes pivotally mounted in the supporting means, securing means for the supporting means inaccessible either when the mail boxes are closed or in mail-receiving position and accessible only upon the shifting of the boxes forward beyond their mail-receiving position, and means for permitting the shifting of the boxes forward beyond their mail-receiving position and inaccessible when the boxes are closed.

21. A device for holding mail comprising a casing adapted to be secured in a Wall by fastenings inserted from inside the casing, said casing having an opening in the front thereof, a receptacle mounted in said casing and comprising a plurality of boxes rigidly secured together side by side with their upper ends open, the front portion of said receptacle normally being positioned in said opening, hinge means connecting the front part of said receptacle with the lower edge of said opening and permitting the upper end of said receptacle to swing outwardly through said opening into an open position, said hinge means comprising rigid separable members enclosed in said device and permitting the mounting of the receptacle in said casing after the casing has been secured in a wall, and a lock for securing said receptacle in its closed position.

22. A device for holding mail comprising a casing, a plurality of connected mail boxes pivotally mounted in the casing and removable from or replaceable in the casing while the casing is in its operative position, securing means for the casing inaccessible either when the boxes are closed or in mail-receiving position and accessible only upon the withdrawal of the boxes from the casing, and means for locking said boxes in their closed position.

23. A device for holding mail comprising a casing adapted to be secured in a wall by fastenings inserted from inside the casing,

a receptacle mounted in said casing and adapted to hold mail, means for supporting sald receptacle for swinging movement into an open or closed position, said fastenings being inaccessible when said receptacle is in either its closed or open position, and said supporting means permitting an additional movement of said receptacle to afford free access to said fastenings, and means for locking said receptacle in its closed position.

24. A device for holding mail comprising a casing adapted to be secured in a wall by fastenings inserted from inside the casing, a receptacle mounted in said casing and having a plurality of mail-receiving compartments therein, said casing having an opening in the front thereof to receive said receptacle, members enclosed within said device for supporting said receptacle for tilting movement through said opening into an open or closed position, said supporting members for the receptacle being arranged to permit the mounting of the receptacle in its normal position in the casing after the casing has been secured in a Wall, and a lock for securing said receptacle in its closed position and preventing the removal of said receptacle from said casing.

25. A device for holding mail comprising a casing open at the front and adapted to be secured in a wall by fastenings inserted from inside the casing, a member movably mounted in said casing and provided with compartments for the reception of mail, parts enclosed Within said device for supporting said movable member for tilting movement into an open or closed position with relation to the opening in the casing,

said supporting parts and said movable member being separable to give free access to the interior of the casing, a lock for securing said movable member in closed position, and preventing the removal thereof from said casing, independent doors in said member, and independent locks for said doors to permit eachof said doors to be opened independently of the other.

Signed at Brooklyn, New York, this 13th day of August, 1924.

HENRY WILHELM. 

